Katana 1100 Head Removal

[dynodave]

Is it possible to remove the cylinder head with the engine still in the frame on an 1100 Katana? I need to change the head gasket as its leaking at the front where the cam chain tunnel is.

[Gixer1460]

Should be - some disassembly required! Unusual place to leak, sure its not the cam cover gasket and its tracking round?

[imago]

Or it may be the copper washers and/or 'O' rings on the two front & centre head nuts. When they leak it runs out either side of the cam chain tunnel usually resulting in a drip from the head gasket joint making you think that's where it's coming from.

[Muddy]

12 minutes ago, imago said:

Or it may be the copper washers and/or 'O' rings on the two front & centre head nuts. When they leak it runs out either side of the cam chain tunnel usually resulting in a drip from the head gasket joint making you think that's where it's coming from.

That is what happened to me. 

[dynodave]

Sounds like it might be that

 

[imago]

3 hours ago, dynodave said:

Sounds like it might be that

 

Worth trying first as you don't need to remove the head to change them and it's advisable to replace them when you do the headgasket anyway.

[rodneya]

Degrease the motor well, then dust on some baby powder in the leak area and run the motor. Makes it easier to see where the leak is coming from. If you do need to take it apart, the head will come out with the motor in the frame, but it is tight. Be careful not to scrape the head sealing surface over the studs during removal. I lifted the head and slid in a piece of cardboard between the studs and head. And don't forget to put a piece of wire or something on the cam chain so that it doesn't disappear.

[johnr]

o rings on the centre front stud nuts. nobody changes them and they leak, many a perfectly good head gasket has bitten the dust due to these o rings.